1. Name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and Internet address of the European Railway Agency

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN RAILWAY AGENCY CALL FOR APPLICATIONS TO ESTABLISH A LIST OF PROSPECTIVE INDEPENDENT EXPERTS TO ASSIST THE WORK OF THE WORKING PARTIES OF THE EUROPEAN RAILWAY AGENCY IN THE FIELD OF RAILWAY INTEROPERABILITY REF. ERA/2010/INT/CALLINDEXP/01 1. Name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and Internet address of the European Railway Agency European Railway Agency 120 Rue Marc Lefrancq BP 20392, FR Valenciennes Cedex Tel. (+33-3) Fax (+33-3) The information related to this call for application is available on the Agency s public website: 2. Introduction The European Railway Agency was established by Regulation (EC) 881/2004 (OJ L 220, ) which was later modified by Regulation (EC) N 1335/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 (OJ L 354, ). Its main mission is the reinforcement of safety and interoperability of railways in the European Union Activities of the Interoperability Unit The Interoperability Unit of the Agency provides the technical assistance necessary to implement the interoperability directives: - Council Directive 96/48/EC of 23 July 1996 on the interoperability of the trans-european high-speed rail system (OJ L 235, ) modified by Directive 2004/50/EC (OJ L220, 21/06/2004) and Commission Directive 2007/32/EC (OJ L 141, 02/06/2007) - Directive 2001/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2001 on the interoperability of the trans-european conventional rail system (OJ L 110, ) modified by Directive 2004/50/EC (OJ L 220, 21/06/2004) and Commission Directive 2007/32/EC (OJ L 141, 02/06/2007) - Directive 2008/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community (Recast) (OJ L 191, 18/07/2008) It is organised in different teams according to the tasks established by the Annual Work Programme of the Agency and the main activities related to this Call are: - Drafting recommendations for new and revision of existing Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) - Revision of the TSIs Application Guide Further details of the Agency s activities may be found at: 1

2 2.2. Working Parties related to Interoperability Unit s activities and representation of third parties interest According to Article 1 of the Regulation (EC) 881/2004 modified by Regulation (EC) 1335/2008 in pursuing its objectives, the Agency shall take full account of the process of enlargement of the European Union and of the specific constraints relating to rail links with third countries. Some of the third countries having rail link with the EU countries have already established ways of representing the interest of the rail stakeholders in the Agency s working parties dealing with the drafting or revision of the TSIs. For example, Ukraine is participating in the collaboration between the Agency and OSJD countries. Lichtenstein and Monaco rail are operated by Austrian Federal Railways and French railways (SNCF). These two railways are represented in the Agency s working parties by the railway sector organisation CER. Norway concluded an Agreement with European Community, adopted EC railway interoperability and safety legislation and started applying it and therefore competent rail bodies from Norway may take part in ERA working groups. Switzerland is expected soon to have the same status. Such a status may be acquired by the EU candidate states as well as European Neighbourhood Policy s countries provided that they conclude an agreement with European Community, adopt EC railway interoperability and safety legislation and apply it. So far, there is no such country from those two groups. The railway companies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey are represented in the Agency s working parties by Community of European Railway Undertakings and Infrastructure Companies (CER). The countries having link with the EU countries which do not have representation of their rail stakeholders in the Agency s working parties are Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. According to Article 3(1) of the Regulation (EC) 881/2004 modified by Regulation (EC) 1335/2008, the Agency shall establish a limited number of working parties for drawing up recommendations concerning some of the activities referred to in point 2.1. According to Article 3(4) of the Regulation (EC) 881/2004 modified by Regulation (EC) 1335/2008, the Agency may, if necessary, add to its working parties independent experts recognised as competent in the field concerned. This Call aims to establish a list of prospective experts that will assist the Agency s Working Parties by representing the interest of the railway stakeholders from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. 2

3 2.3. Applications for independent experts The Agency invites applications with a view to draw up a list of the experts responsible for providing relevant railway information for third countries as defined in point 2.2. Persons who are interested in having their names entered on this list of experts are invited to submit their application in accordance with the rules set out below. The Agency will set up an evaluation committee at least three times a year to evaluate the applications. A list of candidates who meet the criteria set out in points 7 and 8 below will be established. When the working parties require an expert to assist in their activities, the Agency will select experts from the list on the basis of the technical assistance required and ask them to sign an appointment letter, detailing the conditions of each specific assignment. The model of the appointment letter can be found on the Agency s web page: The experts selected for a specific task will receive, at least one month before the date of the start of their activity, detailed information regarding the tasks to be assigned and the appointment letter. Only natural persons can apply to this call aiming to the establishment of a list of prospective independent experts. Applications from railway experts whose employer is a member of the Representative Bodies referred to in point 8 are accepted provided that the experts represent the interest of the railway stakeholders from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia and not the one of the Representative Body. 3. Fields of expertise and main tasks The fields of expertise covered by this call are listed below: i. Railway infrastructure ii. Energy supply and traction systems for railways iii. Rolling stock freight wagons iv. Rolling Stock passenger carriages v. Rolling Stock traction units and locomotives vi. Telematic applications for passengers and/or for freight in the field of railway transport vii. Traffic operation and management The experts are asked to carry out the following tasks in these fields: - Support the working parties of the Interoperability Unit - Provide data and information relevant for the working party concerned for the countries referred to in point 2.2 in a transparent and reliable manner - Report on experience in the railway field concerned - Give presentations about specific topics related to third countries - Other similar tasks 3

4 The independent experts will be asked to provide rail data and information for the third countries referred to in point 2.2 of the notice in a transparent and reliable manner. This data will be used by the working parties responsible for drafting or revision of Technical Specifications for Interoperability and the TSIs Application Guide. The task of independent experts is intended to support taking into account of specific constraints relating to rail links with third countries in the development of Agency recommendations and technical documents. The independent experts shall provide up-to-date and useful rail data and information for the countries referred to in point 2.2 to the relevant working party. The deadlines for providing these data and information will be according to the guidelines and time-schedules set out by the Head of Interoperability Unit. The data and information for countries referred to in point 2.2 may be collected from: statistical books issued by acknowledged organisations such as national statistical institutes, international railway organisations, etc. national legislation annual and other reports from railway stakeholders and organisations rail stakeholders and competent bodies upon request other relevant sources. The independent expert may also be requested to process the data in a specific format and produce a report analysing the information collected. All documents shall be produced in English. The activities of the independent expert shall include presentations of the results of the activities at a meeting of the working parties concerned and, if necessary, at other meetings. He may also be requested to provide advice to the working party related to the application of the examined issues in the countries within the scope of his activities. More details about the activities of independent experts will be provided in the appointment letter. 4. Place of work The work will be carried out at the Agency's premises in Valenciennes, and/or at the alternate international premises of the Agency in Lille or occasionally in one of the EU Member States. Work may also be carried out at the location where working groups meet. There are no specific requirements about the location for the collection of data and information related to the countries referred to in point 2.2; it may be carried out at a place preferred by the independent expert(s). 4

5 5. Reimbursement of experts The reimbursement of independent experts shall be regulated by ERA Administrative Board Decision n 22 from adopting Rules on the reimbursement of expenses incurred by people from outside the European Railway Agency invited to attend meetings in an expert capacity and repealing Administrative Board Decision n 4 dated 9 March Independent experts shall be entitled to reimbursement of their travel and accommodation expenses according to Article 3 and Articles 4(4), 4(5) and 4(6) of the Annex to ERA Administrative Board Decision n 22 from The travel allowance for experts is limited to places of origin of travel in one of the EU countries, Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia. Independent experts shall also be entitled to daily allowance and a lump sum per meeting day according to Articles 4(1), 4(2), 4(3) and 4(7) of the Annex to ERA Administrative Board Decision n 22 from Expiry date of the list The list will remain valid until 31 December Any applicant interested may submit an application at any time during the period of validity of the list, with the exception of the last 3 months. Applicants can withdraw their application at any moment by written notice to the European Railway Agency. The Agency may decide the extension of the validity of the list after that date. 7. Nationality Applicants may come from any state inside or outside the European Union. 8. Qualifications and experience required for inclusion on the list A. Eligibility Criteria 1) The independent experts may not be employed by: - Any of the representative bodies from the railway sector acting on a European level according to Article 3(2) of the Regulation 881/2004/EC, as listed thereafter; - The safety authorities defined in Article 16 of Directive 2004/49/EC - The investigation bodies defined in Article 21 of Directive 2004/49/EC - The national transport authorities, such as the ministry or the department responsible for the transport 5

6 The current list of the representative bodies from the railway sector acting on a European level includes: Autonome Lokomotivführer-Gewerkschaften Europas (ALE) Community of European Railway Undertakings and Infrastructure Companies (CER) European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) International Association of Public Transport (UITP) International Union of Combined Road-Rail Transport Companies (UIRR) International Union of Private Wagons (UIP) Union of European Railway Industry (UNIFE) European Passenger Train and Traction Operating Lessors Association (EPTTOLA) 2) A university degree in a scientific field, relevant to the technical disciplines, giving entitlement to undertake postgraduate studies 3) Thorough knowledge of English 4) Computer literacy and familiarity with the most wide-spread electronic office equipment (word processing, spreadsheets, , internet, etc.) B. Selection Criteria Essential 1) Very good command of English (oral and written) and proven capability to follow meetings, to report proceedings and to draft technical texts in this language 2) Knowledge and proven at least 3 years of relevant experience or specialised technical expertise in, at least, one of the fields detailed in section 3 3) Well organised and methodical approach to work 4) Methodology for data collection for countries referred to in point ) Very good capability for analysis 6) Solid experience in the organisation and management of meetings and projects 7) Excellent communication skills Advantageous 1) Experience in railway projects or other works with the countries referred to in point ) Knowledge of the railway policies and legislation in the countries referred to in point ) Knowledge of European railway policy 4) Knowledge and experience in the field of interoperability 5) Experience in international working groups 6) Familiarity with EU administrative procedures and terminology 6

7 9. Applications For applications to be valid, candidates must submit: - A duly completed Application Form on the Methodology for collecting railway data from the countries referred to in point 2.2, of no more than 5 pages (see the form in annex) - A detailed EU curriculum vitae, showing relevant expertise in the technical fields listed above (Europass format only) - Eligibility Grid (see in annex) These documents may be downloaded from the Agency's web page: The required documentation should be completed in English. The Agency reserves the right to request any complementary documentary evidence it deems necessary or useful in order to verify a candidate s technical competence and professional aptitude. Applications with the documents attached should be sent to the address interoperabilityexperts@portal.era.europa.eu clearly indicating the vacancy reference number in the subject line. Please note that applications submitted by fax or postal mail cannot be taken into consideration. 10. Equal opportunities The European Union takes great care to avoid any form of discrimination in its recruitment procedures. 11. Other information Applicants will be informed on the results of the evaluation and their inclusion in the list. Inclusion on the list entails no obligation of the European Railway Agency concerning the award of an appointment letter. 12. Appeal Procedure A candidate who considers that a mistake has been made regarding the eligibility criteria (point A. in the vacancy notice) of his/her application may ask for a review. To this end, a request for review may be submitted, within 20 calendar days of the informing him/her of the rejection of his/her application. The request for review should quote the reference of the selection procedure concerned and should mention clearly the eligibility criterion/a requested to be reconsidered as well as the grounds. This request should be addressed to ERA s dedicated mailbox (interoperabilityexperts@portal.era.europa.eu). The candidate shall be informed, within 45 calendar days following the receipt of his/her request, on the decision of the Selection Committee on the matter. 7

8 13. Data Protection The purpose of processing of the data you submit is to manage your application in view of a possible pre-selection and recruitment at the Agency. The personal information we request from you will be processed in line with Regulation (EC) N 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data. 8